Proposal

Narrative

Department of Computer & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (CEECS) offers Bioengineering Masters Degree and Certificate Programs at Boca Campus. But unfortunately, we do not have equipment for gene amplification and detection such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) system which is an essential part of biotechnology and bioengineering program. Acquisition of real-time qPCR equipment will fill a significant gap in bioengineering related lab facilities at CEECS Department and will greatly enhance students’ learning experience, training and research in bioengineering, particularly genetics and biotechnology. The labs in CEECS on Boca campus have been gradually upgraded over the years especially with the hire of 5 new faculty members who are working in the areas of nanobiotechnology and bioengineering. But we still need to catch up rapid advance in biotechnology by improving lab exercises of biotechnology courses. We at Boca have experienced a significant handicap in biotech labs due to the unavailability of modern genetic analysis system; real-time quantitative PCR. To improve our lab facility for biotechnology teaching on Boca campus, I request support for purchasing a real-time PCR instrument AriaMx from Agilent at a cost of $26570.4 (quote attached) that can be used by courses of Nanobiotechnology (EEL5934, EEL4930), Intro to Bioengineering (BME 5000), Tissue Engineering (BME6334), Stem Cell Engineering (BME 6324), Intro to Microfluidics and MEMS (EML 4930), Biomaterials (EML 6930) and Direct Independent Study (EEL4905), as well as students working on projects with faculty members. Addition of this moderately-priced key instrument will enhance the overall lab execution and learning experience for many students. This instrument is particularly suitable for Bioengineering labs. Students can process and analyze samples by themselves and see the experiment progress in real-time displayed on the screen. Students will learn the basic principles of genetics, genes and gene activity. They will learn how to design and operate analysis programs, how to analyze fluorescence image and how to mathematically calculate gene copy numbers and gene activities. The addition of this equipment to our Bioengineering labs will greatly upgrade our lab capability and increase the sophistication of biotechnology training. Each student will have more hands-on time, generate more data during the lab time, improve their learning efficiency, and enhance the depth and quality of students’ research projects. Addition of the qPCR instrument will not only improve biology teaching, but also help faculty to attract and retain more undergraduate students in bioengineering labs and benefit students who do research on Boca campus.

Facilities

No renovations or upgrades are required.

Hardware Requirements

This instrument is attached with computer and is self contained. No extra hardware is required.

Software Requirements

The required software and laptop comes with the equipment. The instrument can be operated separately or connected with a laptop.

Personnel Costs

This instrument comes with a free on-site training of instructors and teaching assistants with the field application scientist, and will be operated by the instructors and/or teaching assistants. No extra personnel is required.

Other Costs

There will be no extra cost associated with the implementation of this equipment, just plug in and play. The cost for reaction reagents and other consumables will be covered by individual courses with lab fees (for teaching) or faculty’s own research fund (for research).

Timeline

Within 2 weeks of fund approval, the qPCR system will be ordered. Within two weeks of its arrival, it will be set up, tested and ready to use.

Sustainability

This equipment comes with the software that provides an unprecedented level of automation and flexibility. The equipment comes with 3 years of warranty. Its powerful networking capabilities provide a variety of data output, file sharing, remote diagnostics and training. Its compact size requires no additional set-up or space in the lab. The moderate cost for reaction reagents and other consumables will be covered by individual courses with lab fees (for teaching) and faculty’s own research fund (for research).

Resource Matching

N/A

Implementing Organization

There will be no additional cost associated with implement of this equipment, just plug in and play. The vender provides one time installment and on-site training with no charge. Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (Boca campus) will put Dr. Asghar in charge of this equipment. It will be placed in a designated lab (BS-12 Room 524A) that allows access to lab courses and faculty members. Dr. Asghar will also train and supervise first-time users (TAs and instructors).